Personal flying water jet apparatus

ABSTRACT

A personal flying water jet apparatus consisting of two autonomous units: one is a towing inflatable tube ( 12 A) (and so on) equipped with water jet nozzles ( 18 ) directed downward and mounted on both sides by means of brackets ( 20 ); the other is an inlet port ( 24 ) fixed on a tow line ( 16 A) and connected with the nozzles ( 18 ) by mean of lay flat discharge hose ( 22 ). While the tube is being towed, the kinetic head appears and pressurized water is discharged at the nozzles ( 18 ) making a thrust, so the rider ( 10 ) will fly. Additional versions of the apparatus&#39; performance are possible, such as: Inflatable can be made in the shape of a life jacket ( 12 B) with the nozzles ( 18 ) on a Backpack, so the rider ( 10 ) will fly in vertical position; water-supply of the nozzles ( 18 ) can be realized by means of a water pump ( 30 ) mounted on an unmanned tug ( 14 B) connected with the nozzles by means of the hose ( 22 ), so the rider ( 10 ), while flying, remote controls the propulsion ( 38 ), including the driven water pump ( 30 ); water-supply of the nozzles ( 18 ) can be realized by means of a water pump ( 30 ) mounted in a pool ( 34 ), so the rider ( 10 ) will fly around the pump ( 30 ) tied to a rotating swivel fitting ( 32 ); the water pump ( 30 ) performs like a motor pump ( 44 ) and can be mounted directly on the Backpack ( 12 B), but pump inlet is connected to the inlet port ( 24 ) (located under the water&#39;s surface) by means of the hose ( 22 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional Patent Application No. 60/819,878, filed Jul. 12, 2006 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to motor water sport and recreation, mainly to towing platforms (inflatable or on boards)

2. Prior Art

There are known, personal, towing platforms equipped with hydrodynamic lifting force devices such as water skis, underwater wings, stepped hydroplanes, etc. When a tug reaches a certain speed, the platform lifts off the water's surface (partly or fully), but does not come off the water, because this devices should have contact with the water. Such is a water craft, according to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,697,317; 6,422,168.

There is a known constructive scheme of airborne craft which rises using water jet nozzles operated by a water pump. Such is a craft, according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,357. But this idea can not be realized because in order for a water jet to lift a displacement vessel, a specific power (relation between engine power and displacement) should repeatedly exceed an analogous value needed to move a displacement craft, hovercraft, submerged water wing craft, etc.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

-   -   (a) To provide a compact personal water jet apparatus, such as         towing inflatable tubes, which while being towed will come off         of the water's surface and will fly. The apparatus is attractive         to consumers as it provides a unique experience in the field of         water sport for adults and children;     -   (b) To provide a set of universal technical solutions which         allow the construction of the various versions of the apparatus         (i.e. Ski Tube or Backpack) to be lifted either under the action         of the kinetic head (at high towing speed) or under the action         of a water-supply pump (at any towing speed).

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus consists of two autonomous, connected units: one is a towing inflatable tube equipped with water jet nozzles directed downward and mounted on both side by means of brackets; the other is an inlet port fixed on a tow line and connected with the nozzles by means of a lay flat discharge hose. While the tube is been towed, the kinetic head appears and pressurized water is discharged at the nozzles providing a thrust, so the rider flies. The water-supply through the nozzles can be realized, also through a water pump mounted on the tug (mainly un-manned), or in a pool. In Inflatable unit can be made also in the shape of Backpack.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1A shows the general view of the apparatus when made on the base of a Ski Tube.

FIG. 1B shows a version of the towing Ski Tube when the inlet port is mounted directly on the tube.

FIG. 1C shows a version of the towing Ski Tube when the inlet port is mounted directly on the tube in its folded position.

FIG. 2A shows the general view of the apparatus when made in the shape of a Backpack.

FIG. 2B shows a version of the towing Backpack when the inlet port is mounted directly on the rider's feet.

FIG. 3 shows the general view of the apparatus when made in the shape of a Backpack while its stationary water-supply pump is mounted in a pool.

FIG. 4 shows the general view of the apparatus while being towed by an unmanned tug.

FIG. 5 shows the general view of the apparatus when made in the shape of a Backpack while its water-supply motor pump is mounted directly on the pack.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 Rider  12A Towing flotation platform (Ski Tube version)  12B Towing flotation platform (Backpack version)  14A Tug  14B Tug(unmanned version)  16A Tow line  16B Tow line (water-supply version) 18 Nozzle 20 Bracket 22 Hose 24 Inlet port 26 Tether 28 Float 30 Water pump 32 Swivel fitting 34 Pool 36 Steering Handlebar 38 Propulsion 40 Spoiler 42 Ball joint arm 44 Motor pump

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1A AND 1B—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A rider 10 (FIG. 1A) lies on a towing flotation platform 12A made on the base of a Ski Tube (further in the text: “Ski Tube”) which is connected to a tug 14A by means of a tow line 16A. The Ski Tube 12A is equipped with nozzles 18 directed downward located above the water's surface and mounted on both sides by means of brackets 20. The nozzles 18 are connected with an inlet port 24 (made in the shape of a conical contraction) by a hose 22 (mainly made of lay flat discharge hose). The inlet port 24 is attached to the tow line 16A by means of a tether 26 and supported at the submerged position by a spoiler 40 and a float 28.

The inlet port 24 (FIG. 1B) may also be attached directly to the Ski Tube 12A by ball joint arms 42. It is also connected to the nozzles 18 by the lay flat discharge hose 22, but the Ski Tube is connected to the tug 14A by the tow line 16A.

Operation—FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C

The Ski Tube 12A (FIG. 1A) is towed by the tug 14A by means of the tow line 16A. When the tug 14A reaches a speed by which kinetic head at the inlet port 24 is sufficient enough to produce the needed pressure inside the hose 22, water is discharged at the nozzles 18 making a thrust sufficient enough to lift the rider 1 off the water's surface. Regardless of the height of the Ski Tube 24 above the water's surface, the inlet port 24 should be submerged. This is achieved by means of the spoiler 40 (anti-wing) which is connected to the tether 26. In order to prevent a vertical load from the tow line 16A (due to the volume of the lift force) the depth of the inlet port is limited by the float 28.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 1B works analogously to the apparatus in FIG. 1A. Owing to the ball joint arms 42, the inlet port 24 (together with the arms) can be folded in the direction of the Ski Tube (FIG. 1C) for compactness during transportation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 2A AND 2B—ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

A flotation platform 12B (FIG. 2A) is made in the shape of a Backpack (further in the text: “Backpack”) equipped with nozzles 18 mounted on both sides. The nozzles 18 are connected to the inlet port 24 by lay flat discharge hose 7 which pass behind the rider 10. The inlet port 24 is hang from the tow line 16A by means of a tether 26 and supported at the submerged position by a spoiler 40 and a float 28.

For the Backpack 12A (FIG. 2B), water-supply of the nozzles 18 may also be realized by means of the inlet port 24 fixed on the rider's feet. The inlet port 24 is connected to the nozzles 18 by the lay flat discharge hose 7 and is also connected to the tug 14B by the tow line 16A.

Operation—FIGS. 2A and 2B

The rider 10 (FIG. 2A) puts on the Backpack 12B, which can be combined together with a life jacket. While been towing the rider 10, due to a lifting force (which appears analogous as said above), assumes a vertical position, so the rider moves as if stand on his/her feet on the water's surface.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 2B works analogously to the apparatus in FIG. 2A. Owing to the connection of the inlet port 24 to rider's feet and to the tow line 16A, it is not necessary to install the spoiler 40 and the float 28.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIG. 3—ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

In any version of flotation platform (for example the Backpack 12B) (FIG. 3), water-supply of the nozzles 18 is realized by means of a water pump 30 equipped with a rotational swivel fitting 32 and stationary is mounted in a reservoir (for example in a pool 14). The water pump 30 is connected to the nozzles 5 by means of a tow line 16B made in the shape of a hose.

Operation—FIG. 3

The pump 30 (FIG. 3) supplies (by pressurized water) the nozzles 18 through the tow line 16B, so the tow line also acts as a water-supply pipe. The rider 10 moves around the pump 30 owing to rotating swivel fitting 32. This can be implemented at various populated areas and attractions—for example water-country, seaward, etc. as the pump may be mounted in a pool, lake, or pond.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIG. 4—ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

In any version of the floating platform (for example the Backpack 12B) (FIG. 4) water-supply to the nozzles 18 is realized by means of the water pump 11 mounted on a tug 14B. The water pump 30 is connected to the nozzles 18 by means of a tow line 16B made in the shape of a hose. The tug 14B is unmanned and has remote control propulsion 38 (including the derived water pump 30) controlled from the steering handle bar 36 mounted on the Backpack 12B.

Operation—FIG. 4

The rider 10 (FIG. 4) remote controls the unmanned tug 14B. The propulsion 38 also drives the water pump 30, connected to the nozzles 18 by means of the hose 22, so the hose performs a function as the tow line 16B. In the other version containing the kinetic head inlet port water-supply, the pumping water-supply system does not require a top speed from the tug. The apparatus can practically be all in the air even while the tug remains motionless.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIG. 5—ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENT

The water pump 44 (FIG. 5) is mounted directly on the Backpack 12B, so the pump performs like a motor pump controlled from the steering handle bar 36, also mounted on the Backpack 12B. The pump outlet is joined with nozzles 18, but the pump inlet is connected to inlet port 24 (located under the water's surface) by the hose 7.

Operation—FIG. 5

The rider 10 (FIG. 5) puts on the Backpack 12B and controls the motor pump 44 by means of the steering handle bar 36. Water comes in through the inlet port 24 and discharges through the nozzles 18 by the motor pump 44.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION

In all the versions of the apparatus the center of thrust (located at the center of nozzle) is above the center of gravity (located at low point of human stomach). The positive distance between the center of thrust and center of gravity assures the vertical stability of the rider's body.

In all the versions of the apparatus the nozzles can be mounted with the possibility of independent rotational motion and operated by means of the steering handle bar, so the rider can change the direction of thrust for maneuverability.

Parameters of the real apparatus for rider weight of 175.0 lbs (80 kg) should be approximately: the tow speed—15.0 knots (31.0 km/h), the inlet port diameter—5.0″ (125.0 mm), the hose diameter—3.0″ (75.0 mm), the nozzles diameter—2.0″ (50.0 mm).

The technical solutions, described above, show a wide variety of uses for the present invention for consumer and/or commercial use. 

1. One is a flotation platform for riders (mainly towing inflatable-further in the text: “Inflatable”) made with the possibility of lift above the water's surface by means of hydrodynamic water jet lifting force; the said Inflatable is equipped with water jet nozzles directed downward.
 2. The platform of claim 1, wherein said Inflatable is made in the shape of a tube (and so on) on which said nozzles are mounted on both sides by means of brackets.
 3. The platform of claim 1, wherein said Inflatable is made into the shape of a life jacket on which said nozzles are located on both sides of a rider and mounted on the rider's back by means of said brackets, so said platform performs like a Backpack.
 4. The other is a pressurized water-supply device (mainly located out of said Inflatable) intended for the supply of water to said nozzles. The water-supply device is connected with said nozzles by means of a flexible hose (mainly made of lay flat discharge hose). Moreover, the said water-supply device is selected from the group consisting of: either water-supply from a kinetic head which appears while said Inflatable is towed by a tug, so said water supply device is made into the shape of conical contraction inlet port located under the water's surface; or water supply from a water pump.
 5. The water-supply device of claim 4, wherein said inlet port is fixed on a tow line.
 6. The water-supply device of claim 4, wherein said inlet port is mounted directly to said inflatable tube.
 7. The water-supply device of claim 4, wherein said inlet port is fixed on the rider's feet.
 8. The water-supply device of claim 4, wherein said water pump is stationary mounted in a reservoir (for example in a pool) and equipped with a rotational swivel fitting is connected with said nozzles by means of said hose functionally combined with a tow line, so the towing of the rider by means of said hose occurs around said motionless water pump.
 9. The water-supply device of claim 4, wherein said water pump is mounted on an unmanned tug containing a remote control propulsion system (including said water pump) from a steering handle bar mounted on said Inflatable, and said pump is connected with said nozzles by means of said hose is functionally combined with a tow line.
 10. The water-supply device of claim 4, wherein said water pump performs like a motor pump containing remote control from said steering handle bar, so pump outlet is joined with said nozzles, but pump inlet, by means of said flexible hose, is connected to said conical contraction inlet port, located under the water's surface. 